Wikileaks boss joins the likes of Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Russell Brand and Tony Blair in having a cameo in the cartoon

A long line of celebrities and political figures have appeared in animated comedy The Simpsons over the show’s 23 year history.

Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Russell Brand and even Tony Blair have been handed cameos in the hit American cartoon.

But the creators have arguably saved the most controversial guest star for the show's 500th episode - Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

Assange, who is currently under house arrest at a friend’s home in Norfolk, is due to appear before Britain's Supreme Court on Wednesday to appeal his extradition to Sweden where he has been accused of sexual misconduct by two former WikiLeaks volunteers.

While under house arrest, Assange recorded the voice over for the show where he plays himself.

He will appear as a neighbour of The Simpsons family after they move from their home in fictional Springfield.

In the episode, to be aired on February 19, the Simpsons - Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie and their pets - leave home and move to a rugged and isolated area where they find themselves living next to Assange.

Simpsons executive producer Al Jean told Entertainment Weekly magazine that the show's creative team realises Assange is controversial, but that in putting together the show they avoided delving into his legal situation.

Instead, the writers made sure the appearance was satirical.

He angered US officials in 2010 when WikiLeaks, in partnership with major newspapers, published a trove of leaked diplomatic cables that exposed the candid views of American officials and their allies about a wide range of topics including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Last week, Kremlin-funded English language channel Russia Today revealed it had given Assange his own television talk show.